Defendant pleads guilty in crash that killed Denver Post reporter Colleen O’Connor

Jesus Carreno drove for several blocks after the crash before calling police to report it, according to the DA’s office.

(Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

staff photo

Jesus Carreno, 23, could serve anywhere from four months to six years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony charge of vehicular homicide, according to the Denver District Attorney’s Office.

He was accused of vehicular homicide following an August 2016 crash that resulted in the death of Denver Post reporter Colleen O’Connor, 60. Carreno’s car struck O’Connor while she was walking in a crosswalk at the intersection of East First Avenue and Downing Street, authorities reported.

Carreno drove for several blocks after the crash before calling police to report it, according to the DA’s office.

Carreno also has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of driving under the influence, the DA reported. The charges allow for a sentence ranging from probation to six years in prison. Under the terms of the plea agreement, he would be sentenced to at least 126 days in prison and then considered for probation, according to the DA’s office.

Carreno will be sentenced on March 3. To learn more about O’Connor’s work and life, read her obituary in The Denver Post.

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